Overview

Distribution

Range Description

This species is found around southern Africa, from Cape Cross in Namibia to Algoa Bay in Cape Province, South Africa (Holthuis 1991). The bulk of the population is found from Cape Point to Luderitz in Namibia.

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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

This species is found at a depth range of 5-200 m on rocky bottoms. They are typically found in deep crevices (Pollock 1979). It's diet includes a mix of mussels, barnacles, small molluscs and crustaceans (Barkai and Branch 1988).

Female age at maturity is estimated at five years (Pollock 1986). Longevity is approximately 30-40 years (A.C. Cockcroft pers. comm. 2009).

Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.

GGTATAGTCGGGACTCCTTTAAGTCTCATTATTCGTGCTGAATTGGGACAACCAGGCAGGCTAATCGGAGAC---GATCAAATTTACAACGTAGTAGTAACTGCCCACGCATTTGTAATAATTTTTTTTATGGTAATGCCAATTATAATTGGGGGGTTTGGAAACTGATTAGTACCTCTAATATTGGGGGCCCCANACATGGCCTTTCCTCGTATAAACAACATAAGATTTTGACTTTTACCCCCTTCTCTAACACTTTTGCTAACTAGTGGTATAGTAAAAAGANGCGTGGGGACAGGTTGAACAGTATACCCTCCCCTANCANCAGCCGTNNCGCACGCCGGAGCCTCAGTAAATCTTGGGATTTTCTCACTTCACTTAGCTGGTGTTTCTTCTATTTTAGGGGCTGTGAATTTCATAACCACAGTTATTAACATGCGGTCTTCAGGAATAACTATAGACCGCATACCTTTATTTGTTTGGTCCGTATTCATCACAGCTATCTTGCTACTTTTATCTCTT-- end --

Jasus lalandii has been assessed as Least Concern. Although there have been population declines in the past, it is predicted due to continuing fisheries management that this species' population is stable. Fluctuations are driven by recruitment rates, and for this species, fisheries are managed according to estimated yield. This is still an abundant and common species, and its distribution overlaps with marine protected areas where dense populations are found with full size range. Despite being listed as Least Concern, this species is susceptible to environmental effects on settlement and growth making well-managed fisheries essential.

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Trends

Population

There is no specific population data for this species, however, it is considered common and abundant andis of significant commercial importance, being harvested as a food source using lobster pots and hoop nets (Holthuis 1991).

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Management

Conservation Actions

In South Africa there are a number of fishery management measures including a closed season from 1st June to 15th November; minimum size limit of 75 mm (CL) for commercial fishermen and 80 mm (CL) for recreational fishermen; prohibition of retaining berried females; inspection of landings; recreational bag limits; Total Allowable Catch; restricted fishing zones. Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits steadily declined in response to declining stock (FAO 2001), but the TAC have now stabilised. Additionally its distribution overlaps with marine protected areas where dense populations are found with full size range (reference?).

Generally found on rocky reefs, where it prefers the shelter of crevices. Often seen in groups with antennae protruding from the shelter. Swims backwards in emergencies using the tail., but generally crawls around on the reef. Feeds on mussels, urchins and barnacles, but also a scavenger. Predators include seals, sharks and large fish. Susceptible to low oxygen levels in the water which may cause mass strandings.[4]

J. lalandii may grow up to a total length of 46 centimetres (18 in), with a carapace length of 18 cm (7.1 in). It is widely caught for its meat, with over 6,500 t being caught annually in lobster pots and hoop nets.[3] In order to prevent overfishing, individual fishing quotas are allocated by the Republic of South Africa to fishermen and companies, totalling 1,700 t.[5] There is also a closed season from 1 June to 15 November, a size limit of 80 mm (carapace length) and a ban on catching ovigerous females (females which are brooding their eggs).[6]